Capitalism promotes selfishness. At least, when you really take it to heart and don't temper it with any other ideals.
Capitalism, at least a bare-bones description of capitalism, allows for capital and all sorts of wealth to be controlled privately: the state has no say over pricing, production, etc. In this form, capitalism leads to selfishness. It is much easier to gain capital and increase production when there is no concern for other people and their wellbeing. For example, monopolies are the epitome of a successful capitalistic venture: complete and utter control over a market segment.
I think this might be a contributing factor in my own personal selfishness when it comes to sacrificing my wellbeing for those who already have a higher wellbeing than I. In the american society in which I live, it is considered good practice to be at least a little bit selfish (at least in the economic world). However, there's a fine line to walk between being selfish and fair, because, thankfully, america's capitalistic economy is tempered by a number of other factors.
This doesn't really help much in the nature/nurture debate, because one could argue that capitalism is merely an expression of human nature's innate selfishness. Conversely, it could be argued that humans are innately unselfish and that capitalism is merely the result of some sort of perversion of human nature. Again, this is merely speculation and doesn't really help anything.
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"Capitalism promotes selfishness."
ReplyDeleteYou are mistaken. Capitalism presupposes selfishness, or more exactly, it presupposes egoism which is essentially an aspect of selfishness.
"For example, monopolies are the epitome of a successful capitalistic venture"
No true monopoly can exist in a capitalist system. A single company can dominate a market, but it must continually innovate and increase efficiency (standard oil being a great reference to a company close to a monopoly in a system much closer to capitalism)
"In the american society in which I live, it is considered good practice to be at least a little bit selfish (at least in the economic world)."
Which, unfortunately, is viewed as low and as a "necessary evil."
"However, there's a fine line to walk between being selfish and fair, because, thankfully, america's capitalistic economy is tempered by a number of other factors."
Thankfully? There is no contradiction between selfishness and fair. Unfortunately, America has a mixed market which has continually self-destructed and reduced innovation because of the use of force on man's mind (the government having a monopoly on the legal use of force (rightfully so, but it has taken to imitating force which is beyond it's correct boundaries)).
"This doesn't really help much in the nature/nurture debate"
Is it really hard to see that both are factors and to integrate the two?
"human nature's innate selfishness."
Eh, slight correction The nature of man quo man requires that he be selfish.
P.S. I found this through MT Your Mind